Ms. Brooks works with school clients helping them to understand and navigate the existing legal framework in order to proactively achieve their goals. Ms. Brooks routinely litigates for school clients in administrative and local agency proceedings up through the appeals process. She defends schools against legal claims such as those brought under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as representing Schools in investigations by the PA Department of Education and US Office for Civil Rights.
Ms. Brooks advises schools regarding student records and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), issues of risk management, matters of child abuse and reporting under the Child Protective Services Law, Homelessness under the McKinney Vento Act, sexual harassment and gender equity involving Title IX, and bullying and harassment investigations under Pennsylvania’s Anti-Bullying Law. A contributing editor to the Pennsylvania School Law Handbook published by the Pennsylvania School Board Association, she handles matters regarding the Public School Code of 1949 such as transportation, enrollment, residency, custody, discipline, charter schools, Pennsylvania Approved Private Schools, and private schools.
Ms. Brooks builds strong relationships with clients through daily interactions on matters of concern. Her former experience as a teacher and collegiate coach brings practical and knowledgeable experience of the educational community into her practice. She is also a member of the Pennsylvania and Montgomery Bar Associations. In addition, she has served for many years on the Board of Managers of Haverford College (now serving as The Clerk to the College Corporation) and on the Westtown School’s Board of Trustees. Ms. Brooks is also Regional Director for the Pennsylvania School Board’s Solicitor’s Association. A graduate of Temple University’s Law School, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review.
Representative Matters
- Represents school entities to resolve education related disagreements with parents.
- Represents school entities in administrative hearings through the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in special education claims such as tuition reimbursement and compensatory education claims.
- Drafts and advises school entities on their policies and administrative procedures.
- Represents school Districts in non-residency hearings to exclude students attending our client schools illegally.
- Counsels school entities in successfully navigating the Charter School Application Review process including hearings on Charter Applications.
- In-services school administrators, teachers, and other special education service providers in areas of special education compliance and strategy.
- Represents school entities during investigations conducted by compliance offices such as the Pennsylvania Department of Education, or the Office of Civil Rights alleging discrimination based on disability or race.
Speeches and Publications
- Pennsylvania School Law Handbook. Contributing Editor. Pennsylvania School Boards Association. 2018.
- “Now You See Them. Now You Still See Them: Student Residency Issues.” Presenter. The Pennsylvania School Board Solicitor’s Association Annual School Law Workshop. October 17, 2018.
- “Ethical Considerations.” Presenter. Exceptional Children Conference. Pennsylvania Bar Institute, October 8, 2018.
- “Ethical Issues in Special Education Settlement and Due Process Hearings.” Co-Presenter. Exceptional Children Conference. Pennsylvania Bar Institute. October 30, 2017.
- “Ethics: Divorce and Custody Issues.” Co-Presenter. Exceptional Children Conference. Pennsylvania Bar Institute. October 7, 2016.
- “Special Education Law for School Psychologists-Comprehensive Evaluations.” Lower Merion School District. May 27, 2016.
- “Ethical Issues for Special Education Lawyers.” Exceptional Children’s Conference. Pennsylvania Bar Institute. October 26, 2015.
- “What Does an Instructional Assistant/Behavioral Aide Need to Know?” Lower Merion School District. June 2015.
- “Ethical Issues for Attorneys in the IEP Meeting Process.” Exceptional Children’s Conference. Pennsylvania Bar Institute. October 27, 2014.
- “Section 504 In-Service.” Lower Merion School District. November, 2014.
- “School Law, An Examination of Current Critical Topics in School Law.” Pennsylvania Bar Institute. November 8, 2013.
- “Section 504: What You Need to Know.” Upper Perkiomen School District. October 16, 2009.
- “Getting a Child into School and Keeping Her There: The Laws Governing School Enrollment and Student Discipline.” Pennsylvania Bar Institute. October 2, 2009.
- “Records: What Need to Know About Right To Know and Other Laws.” Co-Presenter. Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators Conference. April 23, 2009.
- “The Upper Dublin Debt Act Referendum: A Series of Fortunate Events.” Pennsylvania School Boards Association School Solicitor’s Symposium Summer Conference. 2007.
- “Student and Staff Issues in Extra Curricular Activities.” Co-Author. Pennsylvania School Boards Association Bulletin. February and April, 2006 (2 part series).